Amazon Prime is the main subscription, and it bundles shipping, streaming, and storage
Amazon Prime is Amazon's core subscription. It costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year if you pay upfront — the annual option saves you about $40. Prime includes free two-day shipping on most items, access to Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music (a music streaming library), and 5 GB of cloud storage for photos and documents.
Amazon also offers Prime Student for college students at $7.49 per month or $69 per year, with the same benefits. If you receive certain government assistance programs, you may be able to get Prime for $5.99 per month through the Prime Access program — you'll need to verify your status through Amazon's website.
The shipping benefit is the part most people use. Two-day shipping applies to items marked "Prime may be able to access," which is most everyday goods but not all items. Some items ship faster (one-day or same-day in certain areas), and some take longer. You can see the shipping speed for each item before you buy.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year and includes two-day shipping, video streaming, music, and cloud storage.
- Prime Student costs half as much and includes the same benefits if you have a valid college email address.
- Amazon offers separate subscriptions for Kindle Unlimited (books), Prime Video (video only), and Audible (audiobooks) if you want individual services without full Prime.
- You can cancel Prime at any time and receive a refund for the unused portion of your subscription period.
- Amazon frequently runs promotions offering a free trial or discounted first month, especially around holidays.
Prime Video as a standalone subscription if you only want streaming
If you want Prime Video without the shipping and other Prime benefits, Amazon sells it separately for $14.99 per month or $139 per year. This is useful if you already have another shipping service or don't order from Amazon often, but you want access to the video library.
Prime Video includes movies, TV series, and original shows produced by Amazon Studios. The catalog changes monthly — some titles leave and new ones arrive. You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. The subscription includes ads on most content, though Amazon offers an ad-free tier for $2.99 more per month.
Kindle Unlimited for unlimited ebook and audiobook reading
Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and lets you borrow as many ebooks and audiobooks as you want from Amazon's Kindle library. You can have up to 20 titles checked out at once. When you finish a book, you return it and borrow another.
This works only with Amazon's Kindle app and devices — you cannot read Kindle Unlimited books on other ebook readers. The library includes millions of titles, but not every book ever published. Self-published and independent authors make up a large portion of the catalog.
If you read several books per month, the math often favors Kindle Unlimited over buying individual ebooks. A typical ebook costs $9.99 to $14.99, so if you read more than one per month, the subscription pays for itself.
Audible for audiobooks and spoken-word content
Audible is Amazon's audiobook subscription, separate from Prime and Kindle Unlimited. It costs $14.95 per month and includes one audiobook credit per month, which you can use to buy any audiobook at any price. You keep the audiobooks you buy even if you cancel.
Audible also includes access to a rotating selection of free audiobooks and podcasts. The service works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart speakers. You can adjust playback speed, bookmark passages, and sync your place across devices.
If you listen to more than one audiobook per month, you can buy additional credits or purchase audiobooks at a discount. Many people find the single monthly credit works for their listening pace, while heavy listeners add credits as needed.
Amazon Music Unlimited for ad-free music streaming
Amazon Music Unlimited costs $11.99 per month for a single person or $19.99 per month for a family plan (up to six people). It includes access to millions of songs, ad-free listening, offline downloads, and high-quality audio options.
Prime members get a lower tier called Prime Music included at no extra cost, which has a smaller catalog and includes ads. Prime Music is useful for casual listening, but if you want the full library and ad-free experience, you need Music Unlimited.
Amazon Music Unlimited works on phones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, and car systems. You can create playlists, follow artists, and get personalized recommendations based on your listening history.
How to manage, pause, or cancel any Amazon subscription
All Amazon subscriptions can be managed from your Amazon account settings under "Memberships and Subscriptions." You can pause a subscription for up to three months without canceling it, which holds your place and keeps your settings. When you're ready to resume, you turn it back on.
To cancel, go to the same section, select the subscription, and choose "Cancel Membership." Amazon will ask why you're canceling and may offer a discount to stay. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access through the end of your billing period and receive a refund for the unused time if you paid annually.
If you signed up for a free trial and cancel before it ends, you won't be charged. Amazon sends email reminders a few days before a free trial expires, so you have time to cancel if you don't want to continue.
Bundling subscriptions and finding discounts
Amazon does not offer a bundle discount across multiple subscriptions, but Prime members do get a small discount on Audible (you pay $9.95 per month instead of $14.95). Some subscriptions, like Music Unlimited, offer family plans that split the cost among multiple people.
Amazon frequently runs promotions, especially around Prime Day (mid-July), Black Friday, and the holiday season. These often include discounted first months, free trials extended to 30 days, or bundled deals. Signing up during these periods can save money if you're considering a subscription anyway.
Students should check Prime Student pricing first — at half the cost of regular Prime, it's usually the best deal for that age group. If you're not a student but receive SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI, look into Prime Access, which offers Prime at $5.99 per month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Amazon Prime subscription with family members?
Yes, through Amazon Household. You can link up to two adults and up to four children to one Prime account. Each person gets their own login and recommendations, but they all share the same Prime benefits and payment method. Children's accounts can have spending limits set by parents.
What happens to my Prime shipping if I cancel mid-year?
You keep Prime benefits through the end of your billing period. If you paid for a full year and cancel after three months, you receive a refund for the remaining nine months. If you pay monthly, you lose benefits at the end of that month.
Do I need Prime to watch Prime Video?
No. You can buy Prime Video as a standalone subscription for $14.99 per month. Prime members get it included, but you don't have to be a Prime member to access it.
Can I use Kindle Unlimited books on a regular tablet or phone?
Yes, if you download the free Kindle app. Kindle Unlimited works on any device with the Kindle app installed — phones, tablets, computers, and Kindle e-readers. You cannot read Kindle Unlimited books on other ebook apps or devices.
Is Prime Music the same as Music Unlimited?
No. Prime Music is included free with Prime and has a smaller catalog with ads. Music Unlimited is a separate subscription with millions more songs, no ads, and offline downloads. Prime members can upgrade to Music Unlimited for $11.99 per month.